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With the world's population down to almost nothing and his husband dead, Daniel is sure he’ll spend Christmas alone with his dog, cats, and goats. Jake has been wandering aimlessly since the world went to hell and he lost his partner. As far as he’s concerned, there’s nothing to celebrate. But he finds himself helping Daniel with his Christmas tree and listening to him describe all the things to be thankful for.

Through tree decoration, dinner, and a chess game, Daniel and Jake discover a connection between them that hints at a possibility both had long declared impossible. When the chess game is over and they’re in each other’s arms, they realize how good it feels… and how right. But after having lost everything, are they willing to believe in the possibility of something beyond basic survival?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package "Heartwarming".

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Beautifully written, sweet post-apocalyptic story with loveable characters, real emotion, and a nice helping of sexiness. Like the title of the anthology this is a part of, Celebrating You is a heartwarming story. I could really feel Daniel and Jack's concerns and hopes and my heart ached for their past losses and the hope that they could find a new happiness together, that they could one day grow to love each other in a world with so few people left to love. I would definitely read more of these two, and more of this universe in the future.

Review of Celebrating You

By Christy on Feb 23, 2014 08:02

A post-apocalyptic Christmas. Huh. I like that Daniel is finally getting around, after three years since the world imploded, to living again. The majority of the world's population is dead after an outbreak and the remaining survivors are doing the best they can, alone, to make it. When Jake comes across Daniel trying to cut down a Christmas tree, he's a little confused as to the why of it, but Jake definitely can't dispute how attractive he finds Daniel. And the attraction is reciprocated, along with how comforting it is to simply be around another human being.
Jake offers to help Daniel get the tree back to his place and they discover they each lost their partner in the apocalypse. Jake has just been wandering from place to place, while Daniel found a nice, snug home to live in. Jake is really impressed at all the things Daniel has accomplished, from raising goats for butter and cheese, to creating a huge basement storage for canned goods, and managing to make use of a coffee maker and a bread machine. Now they just need to get up the courage to admit to each other that they're feeling a connection and maybe this is the place for Jake to stay.
I really enjoyed this story. I think the concept of being practically all alone in the world and then finding your person really appealed to me. This is a great holiday story and one to be enjoyed.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

Review of Celebrating You

By Sara T. on Dec 25, 2013 11:12

Beautifully written, sweet post-apocalyptic story with loveable characters, real emotion, and a nice helping of sexiness. Like the title of the anthology this is a part of, Celebrating You is a heartwarming story. I could really feel Daniel and Jack's concerns and hopes and my heart ached for their past losses and the hope that they could find a new happiness together, that they could one day grow to love each other in a world with so few people left to love. I would definitely read more of these two, and more of this universe in the future.